Gang form for casting blocks



Sept. 26, 1950 K. c. WISSINGER GANG FORM FOR CASTING BLOCKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1947 Kenneth C. Wiwinger p 26, 1950 K. c. WISSINGER 523,34

GANG FORM FOR CASTING BLOCKS Filed June 26, 1947 3 Sheets-sheaf; 5

Inventor Kennefh 0. Wissinger Patented Sept. 26, 1950 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

8,523,349 GANG FORM FoR CASTING BLOCKS Kenneth C. Wissinger, Altoona Pa. Application June 26, 1947; Serial No. 757,151

12 Claims.

verse openings and end recesses, and highly'elastic inflatable cores adapted to be extended through said openings and recesses and to be distended between said longitudinal plates to a crosssectional size larger than said openings and re cesses for the production of blocks whose openings and grooves are of relatively small area at the ends thereof and of greater area between said ends, thereby producing blocks which have maximum mortar service areas, but which are light in weight and embody only enough concrete .or like material to afiord the necessary strength.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form of the above kind in which certain of the cores and upper and lower separator strips for the longitudinal plates ooact with the latter and with each other to provide the form with cells in which the blocks are cast.

A further object is to provide a form of the above kind which is durable, light in weight, and easy to assemble, and which may be bodily lifted, upon removal of the cores, without being partially dismantled, for casting a next layer of blocks on a previously cast layer thereof, the longitudinal plates and lower separator strips extending below the casting spaces so as to extend between the sides and ends of the blocks in said previously cast layer and prevent the concrete or the like from flowing therebetween when the next layer is cast.

Another object is to provide novel means for securing the upper end separator strips in place and for utilizing hoist lines for lifting the form, and novel means for securing the lower separator strips in place.

The exact nature of the present invention, as well as more specific objects and features thereof, will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational View of a form embodying the present invention and illustrated as set for casting blocks on blocks previously cast in the same form.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the form shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the con-. struction as shown in Figure 1, taken on the plane of line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation looking toward the left of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is'a transverse section taken on line 5 -5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectionthrough the form, taken on line 5-6 of Figure 2. I

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 'i'I of Figure 2.

f Figure 8 is a. vertical transverse section taken.

on line 8-8 of Figure 1 with the blocks omitted.

Figure 9 is a central longitudinal section th'rough'the one of the blocks taken on line 9-9 of Figure l.'

- Referring in detail to the drawings, the present form includes vertically disposed longitudinal form plates Ill and II, vertical upper transverse separator strips I2, vertical lower end separator strips I2 and vertical lower intermediate separator strips I3. Each upper separator strip I2 is'arra'ngedin vertical alignment with a lower separator strip I2 or I3. The upper separator strips I2 are provided with a plurality of spaced vertical slots I4 extending from their lower edges upwardly toward their upper edges and spaced apart a distance determined by the dimensions of the blocks to be cast. The lower transverse separator strips I2 and I3 are provided with similar slots I5 which extend from their upper edges downwardly. By registering the longitudinal plates I 0 and II with the slots i l and I5, the plates and separator strips may be assembled with the aligned strips I2 and I2 and I2 and I3 in vertically spaced relation to form cubical cells inv which individual blocks may be cast.

The longitudinal plates Ill and II are provided with registered end recesses I6 and registered openings IT for reception of cores I8 which are threaded transversely through said recesses I6 and openings I1. Certain of the cores I8 extend between the vertically aligned end separator strips I2 and I2 and between the vertically aligned intermediate separator strips I2 and I3. Such'cores comprise elastic inflatable tubes provided:with-inflation valves I9 and adapted to be inflated so as to be distended between thev longitudinal plates l0 and II to close the spaces between-the aligned upper and lower separator strips and to have a cross-sectional size between said longitudinal plates larger than the openings H and recesses I6. The inner longitudinal edges of the separator strips are curved as at 20 to permit this at the top and bottom of each core,

but the lateral distension of the cores may be limited or controlled by reinforcing the sides of said cores with imbedded inelastic fabric. By providing elastic inflatable cores which are so distended, blocks 2I may be produced whose end 5 grooves 22 and openings 23 are of relatively small area at the ends as indicated at 24 in Figure 9, and are of greater area between such ends as indicated at. 25. provides blocks which have maximum. mortar surface areas at. the opposite faces 26, but which are light in weight and embody only enough concrete or like material afford the necessary strength. In other words, the material is saved in a quantity correspond? ing to the increase in diameter and/or crosssectional size of the recesses 22 and openings 23 between the ends 24. However; thisdoesnot unduly weaken the blocks and in no way reduces-rthe mortar surface areas.

The lower separator strips I2. and I3 project 0 below the longitudinal plates I0 and II, and said longitudinal plates extend downwardly beyond the bottom of the casting spaces. Thus,. upon upward stripping of the form to the position-of Figures 1 and 3 to 5 inclusive, the downwardly extending edges of the plates I0 and I I and lower. separator strips I2 and I3 will embrace thepreviously cast blocks to support the form for casting a second layer of blocks and will extend between the adjacent side and end faces of the blocksin the first layer to prevent the concrete fromflowingydownwardly therebetween when pouredin the form for casting said second layer; It will-be noted that the inner faces -of the .cell. walls I r formed by the longitudinal plates and separator strips are smooth andfree of. projections, so that the vform may be bodily lifted itoithe .new casting position without in any. way dismantling said form and after removal of the coresonly. Such removal .of the. cores may beireadily and quickly effected .bypartially deflating them.

The longitudinal-plates .IO and I I are provided: at their ends With'upper and-lowerprojecting tongues '21 and-28. Angleliftingbars 29 "are'dis posed transversely of and beneath the *upper: tongues 27 so that depending-flanges-thereof :aid in retaining the end cores-I8 in place, and these liftingbars are provided with spaced'eye meme bers 3I1for. engagement by: the. hooks-3| ofihoisli 5n lines 32, usedinxliftirrg the form ..to new casting. positions. The lifting'bars are disposed-against the outer sides of theupper end'separator'strips I2,"and clips-33 straddle-the projections 2T at. the outer sides ofthe end'separator strips I2 i to aid 5 holding themin' place, said clips 33h'aving outturned lowerends engaged beneath'th'e upper horizontalflanges'of the lifting bars 29 as iridicated'by-dotted lines inFigure 4 and shown by full lines in Figure 8.- The lifting'bars 29'l1'ave no notches 34 inthe free longitudinal edges oftheir horizontal fiangesto-permit passage of theclips 3 3: i:therethrough.'

Thelower end'separator strips I2" are held in place by meansof set-screws 31' threaded through o5 depending nut zmembers 38 fixed to the lower edges of the projections 28 on the ends of-'longi-'" tudinalaplatesrlI The nut members 38 arelo' 'catedioutwardlwof strips I2, and 'by'threading the screws 31' inwardly,"said strips l2 are held in 7 propervpositionv against-outward pressure.

The. 'intermediate separator strips 12 'and I3 engage 'between-pairs of spaced plates 39 bolted td-th'e outer'fa-cesof the longitudinal plates- II) at aligned with said separator strips I2 and I3.

The adjacent vertical edges of plates 39 are spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the strips I2 and I3, and the bolts 40 fastening said plates 39 in place preferably have their heads countersunk in the plates II] as shown clearl in Figure 7. In this way, lateral displacement of the strips I2 and I3 is prevented. The. plates 39 are providedat the. bottom of their adj acen t vertical edges with outwardly gproJ'ecting lugs 4|, and the lower separator strips I3 are provided near their ends with openings 42 which receive wedges 43 that bear on the upper edges of lugs 4| and draw the strips I3 upwardly into place,-.as well as to firmly retain said strips I3 in place. By using the plates 39, the lugs 4 I need-not be welded directly to the longitudinal formcplates I0, and said plates 39 effectively brace the strips I2 and 313 against lateral movement.

In use,.the form may first be set up over wooden.planks or. any other suitable foundation, .and then the cells of ltheform are filled with concrete or likematerial which'is screeded fiushlwith the top edges of the longitudinal formiplates II). At this time, the lower edge portions of form plates I0 and the lower separator strips I2 and I3 .extend below the foundation members and therefore .below .the casting space .of the form. When thisfirst layer of blocks has set sufiiciently to permit removal .of the form, the cores.I8 are partiallyv deflated and. removed, and the form proper is elevated to the position of Figures 1 and 3 to 5 inclusive,.without removingianyof. the fofrmiplates' or separator strips. When .this is done, the form plates andlower separator strips project between the blocks in the layer just cast so as to support the form forca'sting a second layer/and to fill the spaces between the adjacent blocks'of the first layer to prevent concrete or the like from flowing between saidblocks of the first layer. when the second layer is cast. Liftingor elevationof the form is conveniently effected by means of the hoist lines 32 and hoisting or lift ingbars 29.. No time is lost in removing or re-l placing any of the separator strips or form. plates wh'enthe form is lifted to the new castingposition. Before the second or next layer of blocks is' east, the upper surfaces of the blocks in the previously castlayer are sprayed or otherwise coated with'a suitable material which will pre-' vent said neXt layer'of blocks from adhering to the blocks of the previously cast layer. Such material may also serve the added function of waterproofing the surfaces of the blocks and/or givingsuch surfaces a special finish.

From the foregoing description, it' is believed that the construction, manner of use .and ad-. vantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled "in the art. 'Modifications and changes in details of construction are contemplated, such as fall withinthe scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the inventionwhat is claimed as new is':'

1. A gang'formfor casting a plurality of similar block's" having intermediate. openings, coni-v prising a pluralityof more than two longitudinal form plates, transverse upper and lower separator "strips for said longitudinal plates arranged in pair's'with those of each pair invertically aligned and spaced relation, means to removably secure the lower separator strips in place, said longitudinal plates having registered intermediate opposites sides of theopenings I'I vertically '7 openings for reception of cores between adjacent pairs of the separator strips and for reception of a core between the separator strips of each pair, and inflatable elastic cores extending through said openings.

2. A gang form for casting a plurality of similar blocks having end grooves and intermediate openings, comprising a plurality of more than two longitudinal form plates and transverse upper and lower separator strips for said longitudinal plates arranged in pairs with those of each pair in vertically aligned and spaced relation, means to removably secure the lower separator strips in place, said longitudinal plates having registered end recesses and intermediate openings for reception of cores, certain of said openings being located between the separator strips of each pair so that the latter separator strips will coact with cores placed in said certain openings and said recesses to provide the form with a plurality of cells and to form the end grooves in the blocks, and inflatable elastic cores extending through said openings and recesses.

3. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said cores are distended between adjacent 1ongitudinal plates to .a size larger than said openings and recesses to retain. the cores in place and to produce blocks whose openings and grooves are of relatively small area at the ends thereof and of greater area between such ends.

4. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said cores are distended between adjacent longitudinal plates to a size larger than said openings and recesses to retain the cores in place and to produce blocks whose openings and grooves are of relatively small area at the ends thereof and of greater area between such ends, said separator strips having recessed edges adjacent the associated cores to permit such distension of the cores.

5. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said longitudinal plates are provided at their ends with upper and lower projecting tongues, and angle lifting bars extending transversely of and beneath the upper tongues and provided with eye members adapted to be engaged by the hooks of hoisting lines used in lifting the form.

6. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said longitudinal plates are provided at their ends with upper and lower projecting tongues,

and angle lifting bars extending transversely of and beneath the upper tongues and provided with eye members adapted to be engaged by the hooks of hoisting lines used in lifting the form, and substantially U-shaped clips engaged over the upper tongues at the outer sides of the upper end separator strips and engaged beneath the lifting bars to retain the upper end separator strips in place.

7. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said longitudinal plates are provided at their ends with upper and lower projecting tongues, and angle lifting bars extending transversely of and beneath the upper tongues and provided with eye members adapted to be engaged by the hooks of hoisting lines used in lifting the form, said lifting bars having depending flanges disposed at the outer sides of the end cores extended through the end recesses of the longitudinal plates for retaining said end cores in place.

8. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein ones of the blocks of a previously cast layer to I said longitudinal plates are provided with projecting upper and lower end tongues, depending nut members rigid with the lower projecting tongues, and set screws threaded through said nut members and impinging the lower end separator strips at the outer sides of the latter for retaining the same in place.

9. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein the separator strips are provided with a plurality of spaced vertical slots to receive the edges of the longitudinal plates, spaced bracing plates secured to the outer faces of the longitudinal plates in spaced relation and receiving the intermediate ones of the upper and lower separator strips therebetween, said bracing plates having recesses in adjacent edges thereof for passage of the associated cores therebetween.

10. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein the separator strips are provided with a plurality of spaced vertical slots to receive the edges of the longitudinal plates, spaced bracing plates secured to the outer faces of the longitudinal plates in spaced relation and receiving the intermediate ones of the upper and lower separator strips therebetween, said bracing plates having recesses in adjacent edges thereof for passage of the associated cores therebetween, outwardly projecting lugs on the bottom of the adjacent edges of said bracing plates, the intermediate lower separator strips having openings, and wedges passing through the last-named openings above the outwardly projecting lugs for securing said intermediate lower spacer strips in place.

11. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein the lower separator strips depend below the longitudinal plates, whereby upon lifting the form the downwardly extending edges of the lower separator strips will extend between and close the spacesbetween the ends of adjacent prevent concrete from flowing between said blocks when casting a second layer of blocks upon the first layer thereof. 1

12. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein the lower separator strips depend below the longitudinal plates, whereby upon lifting the form the downwardly extending edges of the lower separator strips will extend between and close the spaces between the ends of adjacent ones of the blocks of a previously cast layer to prevent concrete from flowing between said blocks when casting a second layer of blocks upon the first layer thereof, said form being bodily liftable without dismantling of the separator strips orlongitudinal plates and upon removal of the cores.

KENNETH C. WISSINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,249,942 Fisher Dec. 11, 1917 1,471,951 Evans Oct. 23, 1923 2,062,767 Sexton et al Dec. 1, 1936 2,356,603 March-banks Aug. 22, 1944 2,368,502 Troiel Jan. 30, 1945 

